Optical code reader and methods and articles therefor
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing an optical code reading mode and a data communication mode, the apparatus comprising:
- an optical detector for sensing an optical code during the optical code reading mode and for sensing an optically-transmitted data message during the data communication mode;
an amplifier having an input, an output, and a gain control input, the input responsive to the optical detector;
an optical code reader circuit responsive to the output of the amplifier to receive a first signal associated with the optical code during the optical code reading mode; and
a data communication circuit responsive to the output of the amplifier to receive a second signal associated with the optically-transmitted data message during the data communication mode;
wherein the gain control input of the amplifier is responsive to the optical code reader circuit during the optical code reading mode and is responsive to the data communication circuit during the data communication mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for providing an optical code reading mode and a data communication mode comprises an optical detector, a variable-gain amplifier having an input and an output, an optical code reader circuit and a data communication circuit. The input of the variable-gain amplifier is responsive to the optical detector. The optical code reader circuit and the data communication circuit are responsive to the output of the amplifier. The variable-gain amplifier provides a first gain during the optical code reading mode, and a second gain during at least a portion of the data communication mode, wherein the second gain is less than the first gain.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing an optical code reading mode and a data communication mode, the apparatus comprising:
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an optical detector for sensing an optical code during the optical code reading mode and for sensing an optically-transmitted data message during the data communication mode; an amplifier having an input, an output, and a gain control input, the input responsive to the optical detector; an optical code reader circuit responsive to the output of the amplifier to receive a first signal associated with the optical code during the optical code reading mode; and a data communication circuit responsive to the output of the amplifier to receive a second signal associated with the optically-transmitted data message during the data communication mode; wherein the gain control input of the amplifier is responsive to the optical code reader circuit during the optical code reading mode and is responsive to the data communication circuit during the data communication mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for providing an optical code reading mode and a data communication mode, the apparatus comprising:
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an optical detector; a variable-gain amplifier having an input and an output, the input responsive to the optical detector; an optical code reader circuit responsive to the output of the amplifier; and a data communication circuit responsive to the output of the amplifier; wherein the variable-gain amplifier provides a first gain during the optical code reading mode, and a second gain during at least a portion of the data communication mode, wherein the second gain is less than the first gain. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising the steps of:
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providing an apparatus having at least one optical emitter, an optical detector, and an amplifier having an input, an output, and a gain control input, wherein the input is responsive to the optical detector; applying a first signal to the gain control input to direct the amplifier to provide a first gain; after applying the first signal, reading an optical code based upon the output of the amplifier; applying a second signal to the gain control input to direct the amplifier to provide a second gain, wherein the second gain is less than the first gain; after applying the second signal, emitting a first optical signal using the at least one optical emitter. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method comprising the steps of:
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providing an apparatus having at least one optical emitter and an optical detector; amplifying, with a first gain, a first signal from the optical detector to produce a first amplified signal; reading an optical code based upon the first amplified signal; emitting a first optical signal using the at least one optical emitter; and while emitting the first optical signal, amplifying, with a second gain, a second signal from the optical detector to produce a second amplified signal, wherein the second gain is less than the first gain. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. An article of manufacture comprising:
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a machine-readable storage medium; and machine-readable data stored by the machine-readable storage medium, the machine-readable data to direct an apparatus having at least one optical emitter, an optical detector, and an amplifier having an input responsive to the optical detector, an output, and a gain control input to apply a first signal to the gain control input to direct the amplifier to provide a first gain, to read an optical code based upon the output of the amplifier after applying the first signal, to apply a second signal to the gain control input to direct the amplifier to provide a second gain less than the first gain, and to emit a first optical signal using the at least one optical emitter after applying the second signal.
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19. An article of manufacture comprising:
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a machine-readable storage medium; and machine-readable data stored by the machine-readable storage medium, the machine-readable data to direct an apparatus having at least one optical emitter and an optical detector to amplify, with a first gain, a first signal from the optical detector to produce a first amplified signal, to read an optical code based upon the first amplified signal, to emit a first optical signal using the at least one optical emitter, and to amplify, with a second gain, a second signal from the optical detector to produce a second amplified signal while emitting the first optical signal, wherein the second gain is less than the first gain.
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20. The article of manufacture of claim 106 wherein the optical code comprises a bar code.
Specification